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Outlook: Escaping Idi Amin’s war in a stolen plane

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Ebrahim Kisoro.jpg

28/03/2024 GMT

Escaping Idi Amin’s war in a stolen plane

BBC World Service - Outlook, Escaping Idi Amin’s war in a stolen plane

Ebrahim Kisoro and his colleagues commandeered a plane to fly to safety

Ebrahim Kisoro witnessed Tanzanian forces overthrow dictator Idi Amin while still a trainee pilot. Trapped by fighting, he commandeered a plane to help others find safety.

Pilot Ebrahim Sadrudin Kisoro was born during British colonial rule in Uganda. His grandparents were of Pakistani origin, brought to Uganda by the British to build the Uganda Railway. In 1971, dictator Idi Amin seized power, later expelling Asians – but despite their mixed heritage, Ebrahim's family managed to remain. 

In 1979, Ebrahim had just begun work as a trainee pilot for East African Airways when neighbouring Tanzania invaded, ousting Idi Amin. Fearful that Amin's defeated, violent troops would soon threaten the flying school, Ebrahim and a fellow trainee orchestrated a daring escape from the conflict. They would steal a plane and fly colleagues to safety. There were just a couple of problems: he'd never flown the big plane they needed to get away – and the flight manual seemed to be missing.

Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: Eric Mugaju

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Ebrahim Kisoro in his uniform. Courtesy of Ebrahim Kisoro)

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